Great River Energy; Notice of Intent, 17061-17062 [05-6539]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 63 / Monday, April 4, 2005 / Notices Act of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Guidelines (40 CFR part 1500); and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR part 650); the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives notice that an environmental impact statement is not being prepared for the Raccoon Island Shore Protection/Marsh Creation Project (TE–48), Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Donald W. Gohmert, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 3737 Government Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71302; telephone (318) 473–7751. The environmental assessment of the federally assisted action indicates that the project will not cause significant local, regional, or national impacts on the environment. As a result of these findings, Donald W. Gohmert, State Conservationist, has determined that preparation and review of an environmental impact statement is not needed for this project. The project will protect the Raccoon Island rookery and seabird colonies threatened by a retreating shoreline by reducing the rate of erosion along the western end of the island and creating more land and avian habitat along the northern shoreline. The proposed project consists of installing eight segmented rock breakwaters immediately west of the existing Raccoon Island Breakwater Demonstration Project (TE–29); installing an eastern terminal groin structure extending to existing breakwater 0; and creating approximately 60 acres of new habitat for bird species on the northeast portion of the island by backfilling open water areas with suitable dredged material. The Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been forwarded to the Environmental Protection Agency and to various federal, state, and local agencies and interested parties. A limited number of copies of the FONSI are available to fill single copy requests at the above address. Basic data collected during the environmental assessment are on file and may be reviewed by contacting Donald W. Gohmert. No administrative action on implementation of the proposal will be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate jul<14>2003 15:19 Apr 01, 2005 Jkt 205001 taken until 30 days after the date of this publication in the Federal Register. Donald W. Gohmert, State Conservationist. [FR Doc. 05–6645 Filed 4–1–05; 8:45 am] 17061 Dated: March 21, 2005. James W. Ford, State Conservationist. [FR Doc. 05–6635 Filed 4–1–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P BILLING CODE 3410–16–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Natural Resources Conservation Service Natural Resources Conservation Service White Tank Mountains Watershed, AZ Notice of Proposed Changes to Section IV of the Tennessee Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Tennessee, U.S. Department of Agriculture. AGENCY: Notice of availability of proposed changes in the Tennessee NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, Section IV, for review and comment. ACTION: SUMMARY: It has been determined by the NRCS State Conservationist for Tennessee that changes must be made in the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide, specifically in practice standard Critical Area Planting (342) to account for improved technology. This practice standard can be used in conservation systems designed to treat highly erodible cropland. Comments will be received for a 30-day period commencing with the date of this publication. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquire in writing to James W. Ford, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 675 U.S. Courthouse, 801 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, telephone number (615) 277–2531. Copies of the practice standard will be made available upon written request. Section 343 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 states that revisions made after enactment of the law to NRCS state technical guides used to perform highly erodible land and wetland provisions of the law shall be made available for public review and comment. For the next 30 days, the NRCS in Tennessee will receive comments relative to the proposed changes. Following that period, a determination will be made by the NRCS in Tennessee regarding disposition of those comments and a final determination of change will be made to the subject practice standard. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Natural Resources Conservation Service. ACTION: Notice of deauthorization of Federal funding. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, Pub. L. 83–566, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Guidelines (7 CFR 622), the Natural Resources Conservation Service gives notice of the deauthorization of Federal funding for the White Tank Mountains Watershed, Maricopa County, Arizona effective on March 9, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. McKay, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 230 North First Avenue, Suite 509, Phoenix, Arizona 85003–1706, telephone: 602–280–8810. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 10.904, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention. Office of Management and Budget Circular A–95 regarding State and local clearinghouse review of Federal and federally assisted programs and projects is applicable.) Dated: March 24, 2005. David L. McKay, State Conservationist. [FR Doc. 05–6646 Filed 4–1–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–16–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Great River Energy; Notice of Intent Rural Utilities Service, USDA. Notice of intent to hold scoping meetings and prepare an environmental assessment. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Utilities Programs, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500–1508), and E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM 04APN1 17062 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 63 / Monday, April 4, 2005 / Notices RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794) proposes to hold two scoping meetings and prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for its Federal action related to a project proposed by Great River Energy (GRE) of Elk River, Minnesota. The project consists of constructing a natural gas-fired simple cycle, combustion turbine power generation facility in Cambridge Township in Isanti County, Minnesota. An alternative location for the plant is also being proposed for consideration and comment. The alternative site location is at GRE’s Elk River headquarters in Sherburne County, Minnesota. Total electrical output from the facility is expected to range from 150 megawatts (MW) to 190 MW depending upon operating conditions. Construction of the project at the proposed Cambridge site would necessitate upgrading approximately 47 miles of existing 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines to the latest design standards. Construction at the alternative Elk River site would necessitate upgrading approximately 27 miles of existing 69-kV. Meeting Information: RUS will conduct two scoping meetings in open House forum as follows: Tuesday, April 19, 2005, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Cambridge Township Hall, Isanti County Fairgrounds, 3101 Hwy 95 NE., Cambridge, MN 55008, Telephone: 763– 689–3768. Wednesday, April 20, 2005, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Elk River Parks & Recreation, 1104 Lions Park Drive NW., Elk River, MN 55330, Telephone: 763– 635–1150. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–1571, telephone (202) 720–1414, FAX: (202) 720–0820, e-mail: nurul.islam@usda.gov; or Mark Strohfus, Environmental Project Leader, GRE, 17845 East Highway 10, P.O. Box 800, Elk River, MN 55330–0800, telephone (763) 241–2491, FAX: (763) 241–6033, e-mail: Mark Strohfus@grenergy.com. GRE proposes to construct the facility in Cambridge Township in Isanti County, Minnesota. The primary purpose of the facility is to meet GRE peak electrical load during hot summer weather. Under those conditions, the facility’s expected output is about 170 MW of power. The proposed project will consist of one simple cycle combustion turbine. The combustion turbine will be fueled with natural gas. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate jul<14>2003 15:19 Apr 01, 2005 Jkt 205001 The project is proposed to be constructed at Great River Energy’s existing Cambridge Peaking Plant, 2438 349th Avenue, NE. A fuel oil-fired combustion turbine rated at approximately 20 MW exists at the site and will remain in operation at the site after construction of the proposed combustion turbine. The existing peaking plant occupies roughly 11 acres south of 349th Avenue. Additional land totaling approximately seven acres may be acquired to the south and east to facilitate construction activities for the proposed combustion turbine. The proposed combustion turbine would be fueled only with natural gas. Four 69kilovolt (kV) transmission lines are currently connected to the existing substation at the Cambridge site. Three of these lines totaling about 47 miles will be upgraded to state-of-the-art 69kV design standards to allow the electricity from the new generator to be reliably delivered from the site. An alternative site for the plant is also being proposed at GRE’s existing facilities at 17845 East Highway 10, Elk River, Minnesota GRE’s headquarters and its 40-MW Elk River Station, which is fueled with refuse-derived fuel, are at this location and would remain if the proposed plant were to be constructed at the alternative site. No additional land would be purchased if the plant were to be constructed at this location. Due to constraints on natural gas availability, a combustion turbine at the Elk River site would be equipped to fire fuel oil as a backup fuel. The generator would be connected to the Elk River Substation. Approximately 27 miles of transmission line would have to be upgraded to allow the electricity from the new generator to be reliably delivered from the site. Alternatives to be considered by RUS and GRE include no action, purchased power, upgrade of existing resources, new transmission facilities, alternative sites, alternative routes, fossil fuel technologies, customer-owned generation, energy conservation, renewable resources, and emerging technologies. GRE has prepared an Alternative Evaluation and Site Selection Study for the project. The Alternative Evaluation and Site Selection Study is available at GRE’s Web site at https:// www.greatriverenergy.com/projects/ plants/proj_plants.html. The study is also available for public review at the RUS or GRE at the addresses provided in this notice or at the following locations: Cambridge Public Library, 244 South Birch St., Cambridge, MN 55008, Phone 763–689–7390. Elk River PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Public Library, 413 Proctor Ave., Elk River, MN 55330, Phone 763–441–1641. Federal, state and local agencies, private organizations, and the public are invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the proposed project. Representatives from RUS and GRE will be available at the scoping meetings to discuss RUS’s environmental review process, the proposed project and the alternatives being considered, the scope of the environmental issues to be considered, and answer questions. Oral and written comments will be accepted at the scoping meetings. Written comments regarding the proposed project will also be accepted for 30 days after the scoping meetings. All written comments should be sent to RUS at the address provided in this notice. Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental review procedures as prescribed by the CEQ Regulations and RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures. Dated: March 29, 2005. Glendon D. Deal, Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service. [FR Doc. 05–6539 Filed 4–1–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–15–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign–Trade Zones Board [Docket T–2–2005] Foreign–Trade Zone 105lNorth Kingstown, RI, Application for Temporary/Interim Manufacturing Authority, Southeastern New England Shipbuilding Corporation, (Shipbuilding), North Kingstown, RI An application has been submitted to the Executive Secretary of the Foreign– Trade Zones Board (the Board) by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, grantee of FTZ 105, requesting temporary/interim manufacturing (T/IM) authority within FTZ 105 at the Southeastern New England Shipbuilding Corporation (Senesco) shipbuilding facility located in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The application was filed on March 25, 2005. The Senesco shipyard (450 employees, 31 acres, capacity: up to 4 vessels/year) is located at 10 MacNaught Street within the Quonset Business Park (FTZ Site 2). Under T/IM procedures, Senesco would construct and repair E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM 04APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 63 (Monday, April 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17061-17062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6539]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Great River Energy; Notice of Intent

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to hold scoping meetings and prepare an 
environmental assessment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), 
an agency delivering the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural 
Development Utilities Programs, pursuant to the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on 
Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for implementing NEPA (40 CFR 
Parts 1500-1508), and

[[Page 17062]]

RUS Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1794) proposes to 
hold two scoping meetings and prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
for its Federal action related to a project proposed by Great River 
Energy (GRE) of Elk River, Minnesota. The project consists of 
constructing a natural gas-fired simple cycle, combustion turbine power 
generation facility in Cambridge Township in Isanti County, Minnesota. 
An alternative location for the plant is also being proposed for 
consideration and comment. The alternative site location is at GRE's 
Elk River headquarters in Sherburne County, Minnesota. Total electrical 
output from the facility is expected to range from 150 megawatts (MW) 
to 190 MW depending upon operating conditions. Construction of the 
project at the proposed Cambridge site would necessitate upgrading 
approximately 47 miles of existing 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines 
to the latest design standards. Construction at the alternative Elk 
River site would necessitate upgrading approximately 27 miles of 
existing 69-kV.
    Meeting Information: RUS will conduct two scoping meetings in open 
House forum as follows: Tuesday, April 19, 2005, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 
Cambridge Township Hall, Isanti County Fairgrounds, 3101 Hwy 95 NE., 
Cambridge, MN 55008, Telephone: 763-689-3768. Wednesday, April 20, 
2005, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Elk River Parks & Recreation, 1104 Lions Park 
Drive NW., Elk River, MN 55330, Telephone: 763-635-1150.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection 
Specialist, RUS, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone (202) 720-1414, FAX: 
(202) 720-0820, e-mail: nurul.islam@usda.gov; or Mark Strohfus, 
Environmental Project Leader, GRE, 17845 East Highway 10, P.O. Box 800, 
Elk River, MN 55330-0800, telephone (763) 241-2491, FAX: (763) 241-
6033, e-mail: Mark Strohfus@grenergy.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GRE proposes to construct the facility in 
Cambridge Township in Isanti County, Minnesota. The primary purpose of 
the facility is to meet GRE peak electrical load during hot summer 
weather. Under those conditions, the facility's expected output is 
about 170 MW of power. The proposed project will consist of one simple 
cycle combustion turbine. The combustion turbine will be fueled with 
natural gas.
    The project is proposed to be constructed at Great River Energy's 
existing Cambridge Peaking Plant, 2438 349th Avenue, NE. A fuel oil-
fired combustion turbine rated at approximately 20 MW exists at the 
site and will remain in operation at the site after construction of the 
proposed combustion turbine. The existing peaking plant occupies 
roughly 11 acres south of 349th Avenue. Additional land totaling 
approximately seven acres may be acquired to the south and east to 
facilitate construction activities for the proposed combustion turbine. 
The proposed combustion turbine would be fueled only with natural gas. 
Four 69-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines are currently connected to the 
existing substation at the Cambridge site. Three of these lines 
totaling about 47 miles will be upgraded to state-of-the-art 69-kV 
design standards to allow the electricity from the new generator to be 
reliably delivered from the site.
    An alternative site for the plant is also being proposed at GRE's 
existing facilities at 17845 East Highway 10, Elk River, Minnesota 
GRE's headquarters and its 40-MW Elk River Station, which is fueled 
with refuse-derived fuel, are at this location and would remain if the 
proposed plant were to be constructed at the alternative site. No 
additional land would be purchased if the plant were to be constructed 
at this location. Due to constraints on natural gas availability, a 
combustion turbine at the Elk River site would be equipped to fire fuel 
oil as a backup fuel. The generator would be connected to the Elk River 
Substation. Approximately 27 miles of transmission line would have to 
be upgraded to allow the electricity from the new generator to be 
reliably delivered from the site.
    Alternatives to be considered by RUS and GRE include no action, 
purchased power, upgrade of existing resources, new transmission 
facilities, alternative sites, alternative routes, fossil fuel 
technologies, customer-owned generation, energy conservation, renewable 
resources, and emerging technologies.
    GRE has prepared an Alternative Evaluation and Site Selection Study 
for the project. The Alternative Evaluation and Site Selection Study is 
available at GRE's Web site at https://www.greatriverenergy.com/
projects/plants/proj_plants.html. The study is also available for 
public review at the RUS or GRE at the addresses provided in this 
notice or at the following locations: Cambridge Public Library, 244 
South Birch St., Cambridge, MN 55008, Phone 763-689-7390. Elk River 
Public Library, 413 Proctor Ave., Elk River, MN 55330, Phone 763-441-
1641.
    Federal, state and local agencies, private organizations, and the 
public are invited to participate in the planning and analysis of the 
proposed project. Representatives from RUS and GRE will be available at 
the scoping meetings to discuss RUS's environmental review process, the 
proposed project and the alternatives being considered, the scope of 
the environmental issues to be considered, and answer questions. Oral 
and written comments will be accepted at the scoping meetings. Written 
comments regarding the proposed project will also be accepted for 30 
days after the scoping meetings. All written comments should be sent to 
RUS at the address provided in this notice.
    Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be 
subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal 
environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental 
review procedures as prescribed by the CEQ Regulations and RUS 
Environmental Policies and Procedures.

    Dated: March 29, 2005.
Glendon D. Deal,
Director, Engineering and Environmental Staff, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6539 Filed 4-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P
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